Sunday the 1st of June saw the finale of CPPC’s first HPA Tournament of the season, with Maiz Dulce taking on Ferne Park, battling it out for the Dollar Cup.
In the yellow shirts for Maiz Dulce, Millie Barfoot (0) rode out at 1, with Alfie Hyde (3) at 2, Will Harper (4) at 3, and 5-goaler Will Emerson at Back. Rafi Bruckner (1) wore the number 1 shirt for Ferne Park in substitution for Lord Rothermere, Harry Muddle (2) was at 2, Josh Cork (3) at 3, and John Paul Clarkin (6) at Back, substituting for Joaquin Pittaluga (7).
A breezy day on A3 set the scene for the much-anticipated final, which, after a very close first half, was ultimately snagged by Ferne Park in the final chukka, 9-8.
The first chukka saw a strong start by Maiz Dulce, with a brilliant shot by Harper to nudge the ball through the corner of the goal in the second minute, followed by a successful 60-yard penalty conversion by Hyde, and finished with another field goal by Harper. However, Muddle cemented Ferne Park on the scoreboard with a 40-yard penalty just before the buzzer to leave the score 3-1 going into the second. The second chukka opened with a breakaway goal by Emerson in the fourth minute, but a team push by Ferne Park saw a great goal by young Bruckner and two successful 30-yard penalty conversions by Muddle to leave both teams on 4-4 going into half-time.
Following a half-time break, Hyde scored a cracking mid-chukka neck shot, however Cork retaliated with an outstanding hat-trick of goals to put Ferne Park ahead 7–5 going into the last. Despite Maiz Dulce’s best efforts and a trio of goals from Emerson and Hyde, it wasn’t enough to beat the skilled Ferne Park side, who finished the final chukka with another goal by Bruckner and a successful 60-yard penalty by Clarkin, to leave them victorious 9-8.
The much-coveted Dollar Cup was delightfully received by Josh Cork on behalf of Lord Rothermere, presented to him by Rebecca Nightingale, Prestige Development Manager at Gusbourne. MVP was also awarded to Josh Cork, who was presented with a magnum of Gusbourne’s English sparkling wine. The Polo Times Best Playing Pony Rug was awarded to Axel, played and owned by John Paul Clarkin, and beautifully turned out by grooms Memo Quinteros Beyer and Horacio Landa.
The Dollar Cup Sub-final saw DJ Cats take on Play Polo, playing for the Hartridge Cup, sponsored by Hartridges Soft Drinks. A close match was had, and despite great play by both sides, Play Polo ultimately secured the win 9-6½. The Hartridge Cup was presented to Georgina Brittain by Martin Hartridge, 4th generation owner of Hartridges Soft Drinks.
